You know how much we love Stratford, Ontario, right? It's the perfect mix of great food, lovely scenery, art, culture, interesting people, and joy. When we visited last fall, we couldn't stop exclaiming over everything - but especially the food. We participated in several food trails, including the Bacon and Ale Trail. Don't drink? I don't, and I loved every single bit of bacony goodness that came my way. Take a look...

Stratford Tourism Alliance has combined two of life's greatest pleasures – bacon and ale on a trail to thirteen unique Stratford and area restaurants and retail locations. Each stop offers a delicious bacon and beer inspired taste or product. Find updated locations and more here: https://visitstratford.ca/bacontrail/

Charcuterie at Revival, from Savour Stratford's Bacon and Ale Trail (above and below)

The Bacon & Ale Trail is a self-guided tour of food shops and eateries. Enjoy popular offerings of jalapeno poppers topped with caramelized red onion bacon marmalade or house-made charcuterie made with pork from whey-fed pigs, each paired with a craft brew or go directly to the taproom for a mini tasting flight of craft brews. Unexpected offers such as bacon shortbread, sea salt caramel bacon cupcakes, chocolate covered smoky bacon flavoured toffee and award-winning bacon butter tarts show bacon isn’t just for savoury dishes, but a fabulous choice for dessert, too. 

Take a look at this bacon butter tart we devoured:

And the eat-Canadian map board of ingredients served at Canadian Grub (where we got an incredibly delicious BLT):

“Craft beer and bacon are popular food trends. They align with Stratford’s reputation for raising pork, hosting the Ontario Pork Congress for over 40 years, craft beer making and a brewing history that dates back to the 1870s. Stratford is the perfect location for authentic tastings dedicated to these two flavours,” says Kristin Sainsbury, Executive Director Stratford Tourism Alliance.

Black Swan Brewery taproom

Each trail pass includes five vouchers to be exchanged at your choice of the thirteen participating stops and can be redeemed for bacon and ale inspired treats along with the opportunity to learn more about regional products along the way. Participating stops include: Best Little Pork Shoppe, Black Angus Catering & Bakery, Black Swan Brewing Co., Boar’s Head Pub, Canadian Grub Restaurant, Downie Street Burgers, The Hub, Kandy Cakes, Madelyn’s Diner, McCully’s Hill Farm, Monforte on Wellington, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory and Treasures. Several stops also offer ‘savoury steals’ to pork up your fun on the Bacon and Ale Trail.

Chefs at Monforte on Wellington - we LOVED this restaurant. Get the affogato for dessert.

The Bacon and Ale Trail is offered year round and is valid for three days from the date of purchase. The Trail is available at the Stratford Tourism Alliance, 47 Downie Street for $30 plus HST. Gift vouchers are also available for purchase online or in person. 

The big pig at the Best Little Pork Shoppe in Shakespeare

The Savour Stratford Bacon and Ale Trail joins the Chocolate Trail and (not offered in 2019: seasonal Pumpkin and Maple Trails) for unique and fun Savour Stratford culinary adventures. 

Learn more:
www.visitstratford.ca/bacontrail

Note: this article was originally published in 2016 and updated in 2021.

Photos courtesy and copyright Wandering Educators, Monforte Best Little Pork Shoppe, and Black Swan Brewery.